A new study published in Substance Use & Misuse highlights the significant influence of social media on promoting muscle-building dietary supplements, emphasizing the need for stricter content and advertising policies.
While illegal muscle-building drugs are strictly prohibited across all social media platforms, legal dietary supplements targeting muscle growth have faced limited restrictions, posing concerns for the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults.
Concerns Surrounding Muscle-Building Dietary Supplements
Muscle-building dietary supplements are widely consumed by adolescents and young adults seeking to enhance their physique and performance.
However, these products can have adverse social and behavioral effects, making it essential to regulate their promotion and use, especially among vulnerable populations.
Social media has become an integral part of contemporary life, with nearly 100% of Canadian youths aged 15 to 24 engaging with one or more social media platforms.
Young people globally spend over 2 hours daily on electronic devices, exposing them to user-generated content and advertisements from around the world.
While previous research has explored the content and advertising policies of social media platforms concerning alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy foods, there has been a noticeable gap in studies examining social media policies related to muscle-building drugs and dietary supplements.
Findings on Content and Advertising Policies
The study unveiled that user-generated content and advertising linked to illegal muscle-building drugs, such as anabolic-androgenic steroids, are strictly prohibited on all major social media platforms.
However, content associated with legal muscle-building dietary supplements, including creatine monohydrate and whey protein, faces minimal restrictions.
The unrestricted promotion of muscle-building dietary supplements on social media platforms is concerning, as these products are frequently used by adolescents and young adults.
The study underscores the role of social media as a significant driver of dietary supplement consumption among these age groups.
The authors emphasize the urgent need for social media companies to implement stricter and more explicit content and advertising policies concerning muscle-building dietary supplements.
Additionally, enhanced oversight mechanisms through algorithms and content moderators are recommended to regulate users and advertisers effectively.
Fostering a Healthy Online Environment
In conclusion, the study highlights the crucial role of social media in shaping perceptions and behaviors related to muscle-building dietary supplements, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
To safeguard the health and well-being of these populations, social media companies must align their policies with those governing weight loss products, promoting a healthier online environment and preventing content that may negatively influence body image and self-esteem.
This research underscores the importance of robust social media and public policies in Canada and globally to address this pressing issue.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies that whole grain foods could help increase longevity, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about natural coconut sugar that could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness, and whey and soy protein may reduce inflammation in older people.
The research findings can be found in Substance Use & Misuse.
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